LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 994, 1 September 1877, Page 3

LITERATURE.

MY LEGACY. ( Continued.') ‘Because I am ugly, mamma, ’ said I. ‘Oil, no, I am not too proud ; and, beside, think of all that the money will do. I always wished for some, but certainly did not expect it. But tell me all about the will, mamma, and who gets the rest of the money, and how much there is.’

‘lt seems, Nelly, that Mr Braidwood has left about six hundred and fifty thousand dollars,’ she replied. ‘Of this a portion is left in lagacics of various amounts, yours included; the rest of the money is for' a nephew who is in Canada, and who thus succeeds to a fortune. As this nephew was never heard of here before (he is supposed to be the son of a sister of Mr Braidwood’s who ran away from home about thirty years ago), his coming in to such a large share of the fortune, of course, disturbs the many calculations made, and the will altogether has taken everyone by surprise.’ ‘ I am sure it has surprised us not a little, mamma, said I. ‘ What does our friend, Mr Brown get ? ’ ‘ A hundred dollars to buy a mourning ring,’ was the reply. ‘ That accounts for his scowl at me this afternoon,’ said I, and I related our wonder at Mr Brown’s cross looks. ‘ Well, mamma,’ I continued, ‘ It is very strange to think of my having a fortune, and to think that, instead of the beauty that generally brings other girls their gooel fortune, it should have been my want of it that brought me mine. I I don’t think I shall grumble any more at my unclassical nose and large mouth. When left alone, I pondered with mixed feelings on my legacy. It was certainly rather humiliating to have it thus put before me, that I was too ugly to get married ; for I was obliged to confess to myself that, in spite of my having reached the mature age of twenty-four unwooed, and of my plain face, I had always a lingering hope that some one might love me, even without beauty, for the sake of the loving heart I could give in return. However, I consoled myself with the reflection that Letty and I were provided for, and that my dear father’s mind would be thus set at rest. 1 also thought of the many comforts this money, added to our slender income, would produce ; and then I began to feel rather proud than otherwise of of my ugliness. If papa’s eldest daughter had been a beauty, thought I, this fortune would not have been left to her ; she would likely have been married to be sure ; but then she wouldn’t have been at home to nurse mamma, and take care of papa, as she now will be. There is always some compensation for every adverse thing in this world, thought I, continuing my philosophical meditations ; and though people will be sure to talk about my legacy, and I may hear some ill-natured comments, it is a substantial good, and I don’t intend to mind what they say. Charter. 11.

Time passed on ; I got accustomed to the idea of my wealth, and the nine days’ wonder caused by Jacob Braidwood’s will, my legacy, and the unknown nephew was in a measure exhausted. Of course I had to bear a good many satirical remarks on my legacy and its conditions ; but I had expected that, and was prepared for it; and besides, these tilings died down and were, in time, forgotten. We had got the pony carriage I had planned, and it was my greatest pleasure to drive my mother every day, and to watch the decided improvement in her health. We were all happier than we had been for a long time, as the crushing cares of poverty were removed from us. My father moved with a lighter step ; his embarrassments in business and the consequent hardships entailed on his family, had weighed heavily on him. These embarrassments were caused by the dishonorable conduct of a man for whom he had become security ; and though they were still to be surmounted, yet his heaviest care was relieved. Letty was happy at school, and a moat promising scholar. And now that I, too, had leisure to cultivate my accomplishments, which were but scanty, it was discovered that my musical taste was good, and that my voice was unusually fine. I had always been fond of music, but hitherto my talents had only been employed in singing old ballads to my father, or nursery rhymes for children. But now, Signor Piccia, my music master, complimented me highly, and went into raptures on all opportunities about Miss Warner’s voice. ‘ You one magnificent voice, mees,’ said ho. ‘You can make your fortune on the stage. ’ But I told him my fortune was made already. It was wonderful to see with how much more consideration I was treated, now that I was Miss Warner, the owner of 25,000 dollars, not ugly Nellie Warner, who was nobody, and had nothing. Our clergyman discovered that my voice was the very thing to lead the choir, a discovery never made before. I had numerous invitations ;in fact I bad become quite an important personage. Many a time in my heart I thanked Jacob Braid wood for his legacy; and thought, too, i that it was well there, had been that check ; to my vanity along with it, as otherwise my head would have been turned.

In this way nearly a year passed on—a very happy year it had been. My mother’s health was greatly improved, my father’s spirits were lightened, and Letty and I were bnsy and happy. The unknown nephew ; the heir to the large fortune, and who was now known to he a Mr Bugh Boscoe, was expected home by every mail steamer. Mr Reynolds had issued invitations for our usual yearly evening party, which was looked forward to with delight by all the young people of our little community. When dressed, on the evening of the party, I went to show myself in my new and pretty ball dress to my [fa'her and mother. I found an old friend sitting near them, who greeted me thus ; ‘ Mias Nolly, people will l>e saying that you got your legacy ou false pretences, for to-night you don’t look at all like a young lady likely to want a husband ’ My mother looked at me fondly and said : ‘I hope you will have a pleasant party, Nelly dear. ’ ‘ Don’t forget to wrap yourself up warmly, Nell’was my father’s practical recommendation. On arriving at the Reynold’s, I found Mrs Reynold’s looking particularly important. ‘He’s come, Nelly,’ she whispered after our greetings. ‘ Who’s come ?’ I asked. ‘ Mr Roscoe, the heir,’ she replied. ‘ He came from Liverpool to-day. Mr Reynolds ia with him juat now, and ha was to ask him

to come here to-night. I do hope he will come. ’

So saying, Mrs Reynolds moved on to welcome another group who had just arrived. The party was very pleasant. Since the receipt of my wonder-wo> king legacy Ino longer moped in a corner all the evening, as f had been wont to do. Greatly to my own surprise 1 found myself the fashion, and, without doubt, the attention I received made me more animated, whilst the idea of being independent gave me more confidence and self possession. Later in the evening I saw Mr Reynolds enter the ballroom, but alone, and I wondered if the heir had arrived or not, for I was very curious to see him. Before Mr Reynolds had been very long in the room he took advantage of a lull in the dancing to make me sing for him. In the middle of my song, which was Tennyson’s “ Swallow, swallow,” I had the uncomfortable sensation that somebody was looking fixedly at me, than which sensation I think nothing can be more unpleasant. I was therefore glad to finish my song and look up, so as to break the spell, when I caught a glimpse of a pair of bright dark eyes whose brightness I had just time to see was heightened by a gleam that looked suspiciously like tears, when their owner turned hastily away, as if ashamed of his emotion. What a compliment, thought I, to my song Dancing began again, and in a short time Mrs Reynolds entered the room leaning on the arm of a tall and handsome man, the possessor of the bright eyes I had before noticed, and which were now sparkling with fun as he listened with an amused air to Mrs Reynold’s constant flow of words. They were passing, in their promenade, the couch on which I was sitting, when a servant approached and summoned Mrs Reynolds from the room. ‘Oh, Nelly,’ she said, * this is Mr Roscoe. You will amuse him till I come back.’ With this informal introduction she bustled off. Mr Koscoe sat down, evidently nothing loath, and coolly announced his readiness to be amused. I felt very awkward and nervous, and would have given anything for coolness like Mr Roscoe; for just then I could think of nothing to say. But he came to the rescue himself.

‘ You were the singer a little while ago, were you not ? ’ said he. I answered in the affirmative. * Then I have to thank you for a very great pleasure, ’ he continued; and in some neatly turned compliments he praised both song and singer, adding, ‘ that song has peculiar associations for me; but I love all songs, I am exceedingly fond of music, and a.n glad to find that I am likely to meet some kindred souls here. I did not expect it, I assure you ; for I was told that this was the dreariest little town in the world, and see how it has been belied. I have only been here three hours, and I have been warmly welcomed by a motherly old lady, had an opportunity of seeing a great many pretty faces, and of hearing a charming song admirably sung.’ (To he continued.)